The Bride of Dragon

13. Sweet something

On their next new moon, Lan Wangji quietly leads Wei Wuxian through their mansion to theJingshi, their usual respite on these moonless nights."I have a surprise for you," Lan Wangji says softly, and while his words are steady, his hands arenot. The tips of his fingers tremble from where they're hidden in his sleeves and the politely puzzled but forever mischievous look Wei Wuxian is giving him is doing little to quell his nerves.

Lan Wangji has never really been one to give gifts, his Uncle never being one to want them and hisbrother never being one to ask, so he's treading water far from his shore. But, Wei Wuxian hasgiven him so many gifts this past year that he knows he must try. After all, tonight is...He guides Wei Wuxian to a seat at his table and brings two jars of Emperor's Smile out fromwhere he had them hidden and places them quietly in front of the now dumbstruck man. "For your birthday celebration." He says by way of explanation. The tips of his ears feel red hot.

"Lan Zhan, you..." Wei Wuxian fumbles, words somehow evading him.
"Is this...?"
"Mn. I had Brother bring some for me last time he came." Lan Wangji isn't sure what to make ofthe lack of surprise or resistance his brother had had at this request. "Is it to your liking?"
Wei Wuxian's eyes are almost as round as a brilliant full moon and Lan Wangji worries the gift isunwelcome."Is it to my...? Lan Zhan, are you..." Wei Wuxian struggles for two seconds more before givingup on speaking entirely. Instead, he laughs and pushes himself away from the table in order tocrawl over to and capture Lan Wangji in a tight embrace. "Lan Zhan, it's perfect," he murmurs into the curve of Lan Wangji's neck.

"Thank you."Lan Wangji is quite sure he's going to combust."Zewu-Jun is going to accuse me of being a bad influence," Wei Wuxian grins. He pulls backenough to speak without being muffled but his arms are still happily looped around Lan Wangji'sshoulders. "I thought alcohol was forbidden?"Lan Wangji could easily accuse Wei Wuxian of never following this rule anyways, but instead he says, "It is a special occasion."
"I suppose it is," Wei Wuxian agrees, finally releasing Lan Wangji and giving his rabbit-fast hearta brief respite. He doesn't move far from his side however, only leaning forward to drag the jarscloser to the both of them. Wei Wuxian considers asking Lan Wangji to join him, but he knows the consequences of such an action and the night is very young. There'll be more chances, he's sure."Do I have any more presents?" He means it as a joke, although he is eager for the answer and feels his own heart jump when Lan Wangji nods after a beat of silence.

He allows Lan Wangji to move enough to grab his guqin and settle back in, Wei Wuxian happilytaking large gulps from the jar and expressing its excellence with delight ("Easily the best I've evertasted, Lan Zhan!") as he waits. Lan Wangji warms up first, with Wei Wuxian curled at his side,humming along, and then surprises Wei Wuxian when, instead of moving into his typical pieces,his notes slow into an unfamiliar and gentle melody.It's exceedingly beautiful and finds a home easily in the recesses of Wei Wuxian's heart. He wonders why Lan Wangji has kept it from him for so long.

"Who wrote that?" He asks when the notes quietly fade, tucking themselves into the cracks andcorners of the Jingshi."... I did." Lan Wangji tells him after a moment's hesitation, nervous fingers sliding down thelength of his guqin. Wei Wuxian leans up from Lan Wangji's shoulder with a gasp."You did?! For me? Lan Zhan, you're so talented! It was amazing! What's it called?" Lan Wangjievades the question by plucking out the beginning of Rest. "Lan Zhan!! Won't you tell me?"Lan Wangji feels the answer is obvious and also that he will surely die if he's forced to say thename aloud so he continues to remain stubbornly silent."Lan Zhaaaan!" Wei Wuxian whines before the frown on his lips curls into something devilish.

"If you won't tell me, then I'll simply have to name it myself. How about.... Lan Wangji's ode to WeiWuxian?" It's close, but Lan Wangji only hums noncommittally and moves into playing anothersong. "Hanguang-Jun's Greatest Work? A Dragon's Tune? Here's to You, Wei Ying?" LanWangji finally levels him with an unimpressed look that Wei Wuxian answers with an expressionof pure innocence. "What is it? You won't tell me so I have to call it something.
"If he's hoping to annoy Lan Wangji into giving up the name, he almost succeeds, but the man huffs and swings his head away with a small, "Ridiculous," instead.
Wei Wuxian smiles."Yes, yes, I'm ridiculous. Will you play it again?" Lan Wangji does. He plays it once more as Wei Wuxian relaxes into him, sipping slowly on his wine for once.